Tuesday 17 January 2017 15:02, UK
Mamadou Sakho was withdrawn from Liverpool’s U23 team to play Manchester United on Monday as his future hangs in the balance.
The defender is expected to leave Liverpool this month, with the club's hierarchy seeking a fee in the region of £20m for the 26-year-old.
Where Sakho ends up remains up for debate, however, with Sevilla’s interest in the France international believed to have cooled.
Swansea are also thought to be keen but so far nobody has been willing to match the player’s wages, understood to be £105,000 per week.
Sakho is yet to make a first-team appearance this season and last played for Liverpool in their 4-0 Merseyside derby win over Everton last April, a game in which he scored the second goal.
Sky Sports News HQ reporter Vinny O’Connor said: “Sakho was left out of Liverpool’s U23 squad yesterday. It’s not the first time this month he’s been left out.
“The reason behind it is simple. It’s Liverpool’s intention to move him on this month. Indeed, the likelihood is that he will leave in this transfer window.
“Liverpool are looking to sell for £20m and are not entertaining loan deals at the present moment in time either.
“As it stands, nothing is imminent and his withdrawal from the U23 squad isn’t a signal that a deal is imminent.”
One Liverpool departure expected to be confirmed on Tuesday is that of defender Tiago Ilori.
The Premier League side accepted Reading's bid of £3.75m plus add-ons for the Portuguese youngster in the first week of the transfer window.
